Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B at Should be Reading. Each week she poses a question related to books. This week’s question is:

Do you take notes while you read?

For me, it really depends on what I’m reading. If it’s a novel, I may get lost in the story. If it’s non-fiction, I’m likely reading the book as part of research for my next novel, which means I scribble away as I read – in a notebook, not on the pages. I keep a notebook with me all the time; the very act of writing by hand is inspirational, I find. Whatever sparks an idea, be it a film, an artwork, a sunset or a book, I reach for the notebook and jot it down. I even keep a torch by my bed so I can located my book in the night without waking my husband if inspiration strikes in that dreamy place between sleep and consciousness.